About Us

Director

Geri Mendoza (geri.mendoza@fcs.utah.edu)

Geri MendozaGeri Mendoza is the Director of the Child and Family Development Center. She received her Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies, Child Studies Concentration from Colorado State University and her Master of Education, with an Education Leadership Certificate from Regis University.

Until recently, Geri was responsible for coordinating coaching services in early childhood programs, in the metro Denver area, seeking to improve their quality. She has more than 30 years experience implementing programs for children birth to five, including Early Head Start, Head Start and Early Reading First. Geri served as a team member responsible for developing a quality rating system in Colorado now being used to support children's school readiness.

Geri considers it an honor and a wonderful challenge to direct a program with such a long history in the early education and learning profession in our community. She has played many roles in both the administrative and teaching sides of early childhood education and, after thirty years, she sees each part of her professional journey as a rewarding experience.

 

Supervising Teachers

Rachel Casper

Rachel CasperRachel is the supervising teacher of the Kindergarten Room at the Child and Family Development Center. She is a graduate of the University of Utah. She received her BS in Human Development and Family Studies and later her Masters of Education. Rachel received her Early Childhood Teaching License from the Utah State Office of Education. She has taught in the CFDC program for 10 years.

For a number of years, Rachel has worked in conjunction with the University of Utah Reading Clinic to provide a six week summer program that provides learning experiences and one on one tutoring for children from the school district who have been identified as at risk for failing first grade, and students from the CFDC who would like to extend their learning experience.

Rachel is the mother of three boys who are all enthusiastic Utah fans. She is an avid reader, but can be persuaded to join "the boys" in a game on the X-Box 360. She is also an avid collector of watches and is working on weaning herself of her chocolate addiction. Her interests include gardening, messing about with her car, and doing just about anything with her boys.

Sandra Grimshaw

SAndra GrimshawSandra is one of the supervising teachers at the Child and Family Development Center. Sandra teaches the 2-day Morning Toddler class and a 3-day three to five year old morning class. Sandra started teaching at the preschool in August 1998 after graduating from the University of Utah with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies. She has taught the Two Day Morning Toddler class, the Two Day three and four year old class, the Three Day Morning class and the Five Day Afternoon class.

Sandra is the mother of three boys and one daughter. She also has five grandsons and one granddaughter. When Sandra is not at the preschool, she enjoys interacting with family members who live here and traveling to California and Arizona to see her grandchildren. Sandra and her husband, Randy, live in Sandy.

Mary Hofheins

Mary HofeinsMary is an early childhood educator in the Child and Family Development Center at the University of Utah. She is currently teaching three to five year old 3-day morning class and four to five year old 4/5 day afternoon class. She has previously taught the 3-4 year old preschool class and the kindergarten class. Mary has been teaching at the Child and Family Development Center for over 15 years. Mary graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Mary's main goals are that every child will love coming to school and that every child will learn through play.

Mary enjoys everything good in her life; U of U Football - GO UTES!, Bear Lake trips and spending time with her family.

Tammy Taylor

Tammy TaylorTammy is the Supervising Teacher for the 2-day three-year-old class. She also assists in Mary's morning class, along with Mary's afternoon class.

She graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Tammy has worked at the Child and Family Development Center since 2008. Tammy hopes that each child will gain an appreciation for learning and feel loved during their school experience. She feels it is a privilege and a joy to work with children.

Tammy enjoys cycling, skiing, painting, being outside, and spending time with her husband, Ryan. She loves to cook, watch the Jazz, and travel. She loves being happy!

 

 

 

Assistant Teachers

Jessica Cohen

Jessica PrestedJessica Prested is an Assistant Teacher in in the morning classrooms. She has been working with the Child and Family Development Center since 2010. She is a graduate of the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies. Jessica loves working with children and feels honored to do so. She believes that learning through play will instill a love of learning in her students. Jessica enjoys reading, hiking, and playing tennis. She loves being outside and spending time with her family.

 
Last Updated: 4/4/13